Alexander III of Russia

NAME Alexander III Alexandrovich Romanov

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Alexander III was the Emperor of Russia from 1881 to 1894. He is best known for his strong counter-reforms, his emphasis on autocracy, and his efforts to strengthen Russian nationalism while reversing many of the liberal reforms of his father, Alexander II.

BIRTH Born on March 10, 1845 (February 26 in the Old Style calendar) in Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Alexander III was the second son of Emperor Alexander II and Empress Maria Alexandrovna (born Princess Marie of Hesse and by Rhine). As the second-born son, he was not initially expected to become emperor, as his elder brother Nicholas Alexandrovich was the heir apparent.

CHILDHOOD Alexander had a relatively quiet childhood, overshadowed by his elder brother Nicholas, who was thought to be the future tsar. Nicholas was considered intelligent and of robust health, while Alexander was seen as less promising. However, Nicholas died suddenly in 1865 of meningitis, making Alexander the heir to the throne.

EDUCATION Alexander was given a thorough but traditional military-style education, focusing on history, languages, and administration. His studies intensified after the unexpected death of his elder brother, as he was now being prepared for the role of emperor. Unlike his father, he had little interest in liberal reforms or Western political ideas.

He was tutored by Konstantin Pobedonostsev, who played a pivotal role in shaping Alexander III's conservative worldview. As Alexander's tutor, Pobedonostsev instilled in him a strong belief in autocracy, Orthodoxy, and nationalism—principles that guided Alexander III's policies during his reign. 

CAREER RECORD 

Became Emperor of Russia on March 13, 1881, following the assassination of his father, Alexander II.

Reversed many of his father's liberal reforms.

Strengthened autocratic rule, suppressed revolutionary movements.

Implemented Russification policies, promoting Russian culture and language throughout the empire.

Focused on industrial development.

APPEARANCE Alexander III was a physically imposing man, standing around 6'4" (193 cm) tall, with a broad, muscular build. He had a large beard, thick eyebrows, and a stern, commanding presence, which added to his reputation as a powerful and intimidating ruler.

Tsar Alexander III c. 1885

FASHION Unlike his father and European counterparts, Alexander III preferred simple, military-style clothing. He often wore a plain soldier’s uniform rather than elaborate imperial garments, reflecting his belief in discipline and tradition.

CHARACTER Alexander III was known for his serious, conservative, and deeply nationalistic personality. He was staunchly against Western liberal ideas and believed in maintaining Russia’s traditional autocracy.  Alexander was strong-willed and determined but was devoted to his family and reportedly had a softer, affectionate side in private life.

SPEAKING VOICE He had a deep, commanding voice, well-suited to his imposing stature. Alexander's speeches were straightforward and authoritative, often emphasizing loyalty, discipline, and the strength of the Russian Empire.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Alexander III was known for his dry and sometimes biting sense of humor. Unlike his father, Alexander II, who was more diplomatic and refined, Alexander III had a blunt and straightforward manner. He often made sarcastic remarks, particularly about European politics and the aristocracy. He also had a fondness for practical jokes, though his imposing figure often made his humor seem intimidating rather than lighthearted.

RELATIONSHIPS Alexander III married Princess Dagmar of Denmark, who took the name Maria Feodorovna upon her conversion to Orthodoxy. Their marriage was strong, and they were deeply devoted to one another, despite the political tensions between Russia and Denmark  Unlike many of his predecessors, Alexander remained faithful to his wife.

Their wedding was a lavish affair held on November 9 [O.S. 28 October] 1866 in the Imperial Chapel of the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. However, financial constraints prevented Maria Feodorovna's parents from attending, so her brother, Crown Prince Frederick, represented the Danish royal family. 

Alexander and his wife Empress Maria Fyodorovna in 1893

His relationship with his father was somewhat strained due to their differing political views.

Alexander III and Empress Maria Feodorovna had six children together including his successor Nicholas II. One chid died in infancy. 

MONEY AND FAME Unlike his father, who was known for his grand reforms, Alexander III adopted a more conservative approach, reinforcing autocratic rule. He rejected excessive European influences and was known for his personal frugality, preferring a simple lifestyle despite the vast wealth of the Russian Empire. However, his reign was marked by large-scale industrialization and economic growth, which contributed to Russia’s increasing prominence on the world stage.

FOOD AND DRINK Alexander III was a man of robust appetites and preferred simple, hearty Russian cuisine over the elaborate French dishes popular in the imperial court. He enjoyed black bread, cabbage soup (shchi), and roast meats, particularly game. He was also fond of kvass and vodka, favoring strong Russian drinks over imported European wines. His hearty eating habits contributed to his large, imposing physique.

MUSIC AND ARTS While not particularly artistic himself, Alexander III was a patron of Russian art and culture. He strongly supported the development of Russian realist painting, favoring artists like Ilya Repin. He was also instrumental in founding the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, which remains one of the most important collections of Russian art today. 

Alexander had a deep appreciation for traditional Russian music and encouraged composers who reflected nationalistic themes.

LITERATURE Alexander III preferred Russian literature that reflected national identity and strength. He admired the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Nikolai Gogol, whose writings explored themes of Russian spirituality and social order. However, he was suspicious of radical writers and took measures to censor political literature that he deemed dangerous to the autocratic system.

NATURE Unlike many of his predecessors who embraced European court life, Alexander III loved the Russian countryside. He often retreated to Gatchina Palace, where he could enjoy nature in peace. He enjoyed long walks and was fascinated by the vast landscapes of his empire, believing that the ruggedness of the Russian land was tied to the strength of its people.

PETS Alexander III had a great fondness for large dogs, particularly Russian wolfhounds (Borzoi). These elegant hunting dogs were often seen at his side, whether at home or during hunts. His love for animals extended beyond dogs, as he was known to support efforts to preserve Russian wildlife.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Alexander III was an avid hunter and took great pleasure in shooting expeditions, often pursuing deer and wild boar. He also enjoyed fishing and spent hours at the rivers near his rural retreats. Due to his massive frame and physical strength, he was known to chop wood as a form of exercise and stress relief.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Alexander III promoted engineering and industrial advancements in Russia. His reign saw the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects of its time. He also supported the expansion of technical education, recognizing the importance of modern science in strengthening the Russian Empire.

REIGN Most rulers are remembered for something grand—winning wars, founding cities, revolutionizing economies. Alexander III of Russia is primarily remembered for being extremely large. A man of immense physical strength, he once lifted a train car roof off his family after a derailment, an act of heroism that unfortunately also contributed to his death. He also had immense political conservatism, which did not kill him but certainly made life difficult for millions of his subjects. Let’s take a closer look at his reign.

Alexander III inherited the throne in 1881, which was an awkward time for the Russian monarchy. His father, Alexander II, had just been blown up by revolutionaries, an event that Alexander III took as a strong sign that reform was a terrible idea. Where his father had attempted to modernize Russia, Alexander III decided to unmodernize it as swiftly as possible.

The coronation of Emperor Alexander III and Empress Maria Fyodorovna took place on May 27 [O.S. 15 May] 1883 at the Uspensky Sobor of the Moscow Kremlin. 

Grand painting by artist Georges Becker of the coronation

Upon taking power, Alexander III immediately rolled back his father’s liberal reforms. He scrapped plans for a constitution (a novel but, in his mind, ridiculous idea), cracked down on local self-government (zemstvos, which he considered dangerously democratic), and restored the absolute authority of the Tsar.

Russia, at this time, contained an impressive assortment of ethnic groups, many of whom were inconveniently non-Russian. Alexander III, a man who liked things simple and orderly, thought this was a terrible mistake and introduced Russification—a program designed to ensure that everyone spoke Russian, practiced Russian Orthodox Christianity, and generally stopped being so non-Russian. Poles, Germans, Finns, and other minority groups were less than thrilled by this policy, but that did not deter him.

Alexander III’s dislike for criticism was almost artistic in its intensity. He increased censorship, exiled troublemakers, and gave the secret police (the Okhrana) free rein to root out anyone who seemed even remotely inclined to have a political opinion. Newspapers were monitored, intellectuals were harassed, and Russia became one of the least hospitable places in the world for free thought—an achievement he took some pride in.

For a man with a fondness for military uniforms, Alexander III was surprisingly disinterested in war. His entire reign was remarkably peaceful, which earned him the ironic title "The Peacemaker" (not because he promoted diplomacy, but because he made Russia so militarily intimidating that no one wanted to fight it).

One of Alexander’s biggest foreign policy moves was the Franco-Russian Alliance (1892). This was a strategic friendship with France, largely because Germany and Austria-Hungary were becoming insufferable, and Russia needed a powerful ally. This alliance would eventually contribute to World War I, though Alexander III did not live to see it.

For a while, Russia had a secret non-aggression pact with Germany, known as the Reinsurance Treaty. This allowed Russia to avoid being ganged up on by Germany and Austria-Hungary, which seemed like a sensible arrangement. However, in 1890, the new German leadership let the treaty lapse, which did not improve Alexander’s already chilly relationship with Berlin.

Alexander III was also keen on strengthening Russia’s economy, though his methods were fairly blunt. He raised tariffs to protect Russian industries, promoted state-sponsored industrialization, and encouraged foreign investment—as long as foreign investors didn’t try anything clever like introducing democratic ideas.

By 1894, his health had worsened considerably. He retired to Livadia Palace in Crimea, where he died at the relatively young age of 49. His son, Nicholas II, took the throne—a development that did not end well for the Romanovs.

Alexander III’s reign was a study in contradictions. He was an intelligent but stubborn ruler, a peace-loving autocrat, and a railroad-building reactionary. His policies stabilized Russia in the short term but set the stage for future instability, ultimately contributing to the fall of the Romanov dynasty in 1917.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Alexander III was a staunch advocate of Orthodox Christianity and believed that the Russian Empire was divinely ordained. He saw autocracy as not just a political system but a sacred duty, arguing that the Tsar was answerable only to God. He was a strong supporter of the Russian Orthodox Church and viewed Western liberalism and secularism as threats to Russia’s unity and moral fabric.

Alexander III introduced the May Laws, which were not nearly as cheerful as they sound. These laws severely restricted where Jews could live and what professions they could enter, leading to mass displacement and violence. Pogroms—violent anti-Jewish riots—became frequent, and the government did little to stop them. Many Russian Jews fled, emigrating to Western Europe and America, where, in a remarkable irony, some of their descendants would later become influential in shaping global politics.

POLITICS On the day he was assassinated by revolutionary nihilists, Alexander II of Russia had signed a ukaz establishing elected positions for commoners in the Tsardom. This edict was immediately dissolved by his son, Alexander III, who rejected liberal reforms and sought to consolidate and expand the Tsar’s power. His reign was defined by a policy of "Russification," which aimed to suppress non-Russian cultures and promote a unified Russian identity. He also cracked down on revolutionary movements, increasing censorship and secret police activity.

SCANDAL Though his reign was less scandalous than that of his father or son, Alexander III’s harsh policies led to widespread discontent among minority groups, particularly Jews, Poles, and Finns, who faced strict restrictions. His intolerance toward dissent led to accusations of tyranny, and his reversal of his father’s reforms was seen by liberals as a betrayal of Russia’s modernization. 

Vladimir Lenin's elder brother Aleksandr was hanged in 1887 for taking part in a plot to assassinate Tsar Alexander III. He was a member of The People’s Will, a radical terrorist group.

MILITARY RECORD Unlike many of his predecessors, Alexander III did not engage in major wars. He focused instead on strengthening Russia’s military defenses. He expanded the army, improved the navy, and promoted military education. His diplomacy was centered on maintaining stability in Europe, and he was instrumental in forming the Franco-Russian Alliance against Germany and Austria-Hungary. His militaristic posture was more defensive than expansionist, but he firmly believed in a strong, battle-ready Russia.

Alexander III in the uniform of the Danish Royal Life Guards, 1894

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS

Alexander III was known for his immense physical strength. He stood over six feet tall and had a powerful build, which contributed to his image as a rugged and imposing ruler. 

On October 29 [O.S. 17 October] 1888,  the imperial train derailed at high speed near Borki station in Kharkov Governorate of the Russian Empire (present-day Birky, Ukraine). Alexander used his strength to lift the collapsed roof of the dining car, allowing his family to escape. However, the blunt force trauma to his kidneys sustained in this incident led to nephritis, which eventually caused his death six years later.

HOMES Although the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg was the official residence of the Tsar, Alexander III preferred the more secluded and militaristic atmosphere of Gatchina Palace, located outside the city. 

Unlike his predecessors, he did not frequently reside in Peterhof Palace or the Catherine Palace, as he disliked excessive grandeur. His love for Gatchina symbolized his preference for a practical and disciplined lifestyle.

TRAVEL Unlike other European monarchs of his time, Alexander III rarely traveled abroad. He distrusted Western Europe and saw it as a source of liberal and revolutionary ideologies. However, he did travel within the Russian Empire, particularly to the Crimea, which was a favorite retreat for the Romanov family. His limited international presence was in stark contrast to his son, Nicholas II, who frequently visited Europe.

One of the biggest projects undertaken during Alexander III’s reign was the Trans-Siberian Railway, a massive rail line that stretched across the entire Russian Empire. This was meant to improve trade, transport, and control over distant territories. Construction began in 1891, and though Alexander III didn’t live to see it finished, it remains one of the most impressive engineering feats of the 19th century.

DEATH Alexander III’s health declined rapidly in the early 1890s, with the nephritis caused by the 1888 train accident worsening over time. By 1894, he was gravely ill, and his condition deteriorated despite medical efforts. He died on November 1, 1894, at the age of 49, in the Livadia Palace in Crimea. 

Alexander III's funeral was held on November 18, 1894, at the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Saint Petersburg. He is buried in the same cathedral, which has been the traditional burial site for Russian monarchs since Peter the Great. The funeral procession involved a journey from Livadia, where he died, to Moscow and then to St. Petersburg, accompanied by extensive religious services and ceremonies. (1)

His death marked the end of his strict, conservative rule and led to the reign of his son, Nicholas II, who would oversee the fall of the Romanov dynasty.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Alexander III has been depicted in historical dramas and literature focusing on the decline of the Russian Empire. His stern and authoritative persona has been portrayed in Russian and Western productions about the Romanovs. Unlike his son, Nicholas II, he is often overshadowed in popular culture, though he is sometimes referenced in films and documentaries examining Russia’s imperial history.

ACHIEVEMENTS Despite his reactionary policies, Alexander III contributed significantly to Russia’s industrial and military growth. His reign saw:

The construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, which helped connect the vast empire.

The Franco-Russian Alliance, which shaped early 20th-century European geopolitics.

The strengthening of the Russian military, ensuring peace during his reign.

The founding of the Russian Museum, promoting national art and culture.

His leadership left a complex legacy—a period of internal stability but growing tensions that would eventually contribute to the Russian Revolution.

Source (1) The Royal Watcher